“I’m talking to Nemesis about that fucker who caused this shit.” He knew Lily probably knew even less about him than he did. But still, he wanted her to know this would not be allowed to happen here again.
“Rexar will, too.”
“Good.”
“Go on.” Lily shooed him toward the bathroom door. “Go fix your girl.”
He nodded. “Thanks, Lily.” He paused outside the door and took a deep breath before knocking. “Baby girl?” He cocked his head to one side, straining his ears. He was almost sure he could hear sobbing over the running water, which meant she was crying hard.
Fuck it, I’m not waiting.
“Baby girl?” He pushed open the door. “Rose?”
“Ca—Caleb?” Her fingers reached around the shower curtain, but she didn’t look.
He moved closer and stroked one finger over hers. “Are you okay?”
“No. No, I’m not.”
She hadn’t been scared of Janek. Or at least she’d kept it inside and been so strong. Maybe it was the shock of the alarms going off and waking her out of a deep sleep that snapped the chains on her strength. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would happen.” Even though it wasn’t his fault exactly, he regretted it more than she would ever know.
“I don’t even understand what happened.”
“Someone was stupid and tried to come through our security without clearance for all the weapons they carried.” How did one explain the precautions Nemesis Inc. took to protect its people? “It sent us into lockdown, which was what the alarms and lights were.”
“I thought there was a fire.” Her breathing hitched, and her voice broke. “I couldn’t find you. I thought you would die.” The last part was wailed, and it clenched something deep in his heart. He rubbed the back of his knuckles over his chest, trying to ease the ache.
Wait… she lost it because she thought I’d burn and die?
In a fucking fire which didn’t exist?
“Fuck it,” he muttered softly. He could not and would not leave her to deal with this trauma alone. He refused to do anything that might freak her out again today. “Can I come in there?”
She hesitated a second, which chipped away at the walls that surrounded his heart. “Yeah.”
Thank God.
He stepped over the side of the bath and into the shower, fully clothed, and gathered her into his arms. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.” She buried her face into his chest and cried.
All he could do was hold her, as it sounded like she was letting everything she’d been through free. He wasn’t going to give her platitudes or say words that she wasn’t in any position to accept at face value. He stroked her back, rocking slightly back and forth as she soaked his chest more than the water did.
“I’m so?—”
“Don’t be.” He glanced down at her and realized she was wearing his t-shirt, which was soaking wet. “Let’s get this off you.” His fingers reached for the hem. “I’m not looking for anything but to get you more comfortable.”
“I—leave it, please.” She ducked her head under the flow of water and reached for the shampoo bottle.
“Let me.” If she wanted to wear the T-shirt, then he wasn’t going to try to change her mind. He took the bottle and poured some into his hands. “Just lean against me, and I’ll take care of you.” She nodded, and he massaged the shampoo into her hair, taking the time to give her a head massage as he washed her hair. After rinsing it and applying the conditioner she handed him, she finally took a breath, which wasn’t preceded or followed by a sob. “How are you doing, baby girl?”
“Better.”
There was still a sniffle in her tone, but she sounded good enough that the vice around his chest loosened a little, and he could breathe without feeling panic knocking at the edges of his physic. “Want me to leave while you get dressed?”
“No.” She shook her head, patting his chest. “You’re still wearing all your clothes…”
So was she, in case she hadn’t noticed. “I was in a hurry to make sure you were okay. They’ll dry, or I’ll borrow some of Rexar’s.”
